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Liberalism & The Brotherhood Introduction: In two earlier lessons on modernism and understanding its influence on our religious neighbors and even upon members of the church of Christ. I) Review A) The basis of modernism -- denies the inspiration of the scriptures, deity of Christ, miracles, even the existence of God 1. Results in -- emotion over the mind of logic, flesh over the spirit, and man over God. 2. To them religion is more social in nature and "no big deal" B) Modernisms views of Grace, Christ and His church, love, and faith 1. While is looks to the bible to prove its beliefs it is not bible based. 2. Bible used as a pretext as opposed to proof text. C) Resulting in 1. Religious division -- the more modern religion has become the more divided. 2. Disregard for Bible teaching 00 classes studying the Andy Griffin Show, a song by Garth Brooks, in one instance a class deciding to meet at a local fast food place. 3. Worship services aimed at entertaining and exciting the audience instead of focusing on God. a. Eluding the hellfire and smoke surrounding his pulpit, the Rev. Tommy Barnett waves good-bye. With a hearty "Hallelujah" he soars straight toward heaven and out of sight. b. Second Baptist... prefers to call itself the "Fellowship of Excitement," on signs and in its church bulletins. c. For a hipper, mostly single crowd, there is "P.M. Houston," a Sunday evening service with guitar sing-along and lights that transform the sanctuary from aqua to rose. II) Liberalisms Influence on Churches of Christ A) Some congregations have become as denominational as the denominations. B) 70 years ago almost all non-instrumental churches of Christ preached, believed, and practiced the same things. 1. Today some have adopted instrumental music on special occasions, choirs, women ministers, open fellowship, homosexual members, etc. 2. It has been a gradual transformation requiring a change of generations and small baby steps. III) The Gospel/Doctrine Distinction A) Gospel limited to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, 1 Corinthians 15.4. 1. As long as we have the core belief the practice does not matter. a. Baptism for the remission of sins not essential. At the Southwest church of Christ in Jonesboro, AR the preachers said that baptism is the result of a "mature faith" b. The division over instrumental music was needless according to Rubel Shelly. 2. Teach the lost the Gospel -- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John 3. To the saved one teaches the Doctrine -- the letters. B) Doctrine and Gospel is making a distinction that is no distinction 1. What were the apostles to teach? Matthew 28.18ff 2. What did Paul want to preach to the saved at Rome? Rom. 1.15 3. Peter's hypocrisy, Galatians 2.12-13 4. What is the difference between the "no other gospel" of Galatians 1.8 and "no other doctrine" in 1 Timothy 1.3? 5. The Gospels reveals God's plan of salvation. 6. Acts how to get into Christ, the letters how to stay in Christ. 7. The Apostles preached the man and the plan. IV) Grace Fellowship A) Stressed God's grace and minimized doctrinal differences 1. None of us are going to be doctrinally perfect, grace will have to overcome our imperfections. 2. Some people are "brothers in prospect" (Max Lucado idea of all are on the same boat but at different stations). 3. Sincerity is enough to allow perfection with one teaching error. (Ed Harold response to Homer Hailey's teaching on marriage/divorce/remarriage). B) Answers 1. We are told to rightly divide the word of God, 2 Timothy 2.15 2. We are told to contend for the faith, Jude 3. 3. Bible clearly teaches it is understandable, to be taught, and defended. 4. Doctrinal error is to be exposed and not fellowshipped, Ephesians 5.11. 5. A sincere person will want to learn the truth. V) New Hermeneutics -- the science of interpretation A) New approach to Bible study and authority 1. Take the Bible as a general narrative, a story, and don't get hung up on the specifics. a. Lord's Supper needs to be observed but not on Sunday. b. Singing needs to praise God but not specifically by singing. 2. Bible written in a different culture and we should not make our culture conform to the Bible. 3. Old Hermeneutic -- direct command, necessary inference, and approved example. B) Bible Authority 1. Jesus taught the accuracy of the Bible. Jonah and the fish (Matthew 12.40); creation account (Matthew 19.4); Lot's wife (Luke 17.29,32). 2. Jesus taught the word of God is to be obeyed, Matthew 7.21 3. Jesus taught by direct statement, Matthew 16.24 4. Jesus taught by necessary conclusion, Luke 12.54-57 5. Jesus taught by approved example, John 11. VI) Emotionalism A) Emotion used to justify what man wants 1. The purpose and nature of worship is to excite, make us feel good, entertainment, etc. B) Bible emotionalism (from the heart) 1. What pleases man does not always please God -- Aaron making the golden calf, King Saul sparing the livestock, etc. 2. Worship is not to be void of emotion a. We are to be encouraged, Hebrews 11.24-25 b. Singing and prayers from the heart c. We are to be strengthened from the word of God. (To get something out of our worship we must be willing to put something into it.) 3. Bible example as emotion comes from obedience to God, Acts 8.39
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